Dementia Care in Effingham, IL: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Effingham, IL: the local picture

514

residents 85 or older (4.2% of all residents)

2,602

residents 65 or older (21% of Effingham)

47%

of residents 65+ report a disability (37% in Effingham County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Effingham has about 514 residents aged 85 or older among 2,602 aged 65 or older. The risk of Alzheimer’s rises steeply with age, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about a third of people 85 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.

47% of residents 65 and older report a disability (37% in Effingham County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

40% of older Effingham residents in households live alone. For someone with memory loss who lives alone, a few hours of daily check-ins are often the first step.

Effingham compared with Effingham County and Illinois

Census figure	Effingham	Effingham County	Illinois
Residents 85 or older	4.2%	2.6%	2.0%
Residents 65 or older	21%	19%	17%
Residents 65+ with a disability	47%	37%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	40%	30%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	9.6%	10%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	5.7%	3.2%	24%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$43,155	$57,511	—

Older residents in towns around Effingham

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Newton, IL	23 mi	628	146
Shelbyville, IL	24 mi	971	216
Mattoon, IL	27 mi	3,203	672
Vandalia, IL	32 mi	1,067	184
Flora, IL	32 mi	997	253
Charleston, IL	32 mi	2,604	374

Nursing homes near Effingham

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Lakeland Rehab & Healthcare Center	Effingham, IL	0.5 mi	4 of 5	154	(217) 342-2171
Effingham Healthcare & Senior Living	Effingham, IL	0.8 mi	1 of 5	62	(217) 347-7781
Evergreen Nursing & Rehab Center	Effingham, IL	1.1 mi	4 of 5	120	(217) 347-7121
Lutheran Care Center	Altamont, IL	12 mi	5 of 5	96	(618) 483-6136
Heartland Senior Living	Neoga, IL	15 mi	3 of 5	71	(217) 895-2665
The Haven Of St. Elmo	St Elmo, IL	17 mi	1 of 5	60	(618) 829-5581

Hospices serving Effingham

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Hshs Hospice Illinois	Effingham, IL	0.6 mi	(217) 347-1777
Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice	Charleston, IL	32 mi	(800) 454-4055
Haven Hospice IL, LLC	Chrisman, IL	67 mi	(217) 728-3200
Carle Hospice	Champaign, IL	71 mi	(800) 239-3620

Straight-line miles from the center of Effingham. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a dementia caregiver can help with

Keeping a predictable daily routine
Gentle help with bathing, dressing and toileting
Meals, hydration and medication reminders
Calming approaches for sundowning, agitation and repeated questions

Cost

What dementia care costs in Effingham

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $3,596 monthly median income of Effingham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a dementia caregiver

An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Facts and Figures. Most live at home, cared for by family. The Association’s 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is free.

Questions worth asking: Tell me about someone with dementia you cared for. What worked? What do you do when a client becomes agitated in the late afternoon? How do you keep someone safe who tries to leave the house? More in our dementia care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Dementia Care in Effingham: common questions

What nursing homes are near Effingham?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Lakeland Rehab & Healthcare Center in Effingham (0.5 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Effingham Healthcare & Senior Living in Effingham (0.8 mi, 1 of 5 overall); Evergreen Nursing & Rehab Center in Effingham (1.1 mi, 4 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Effingham?

At the Illinois median aide wage of $18.30 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,586 a month in wages, which is 44% of the $3,596 monthly median income of Effingham households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Illinois's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

When does someone with dementia need care at home?

Common signs are missed meals or medication, getting lost in familiar places, unsafe cooking or driving, and a family caregiver who is exhausted. Many families start with a few hours a day and add hours, nights or live-in help as the disease progresses.

More near Effingham

More senior care near Effingham

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Effingham

More for Effingham families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care in Effingham, IL